(1 of )Sonoma State University economist Robert Eyler explains why he projects no or mild recession for San Francisco North Bay counties through 2020, speaking at the SSU Economic Outlook Conference at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in Rohnert Park on March 2, 2018 (ANTHONY BORDERS / NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL)

(2 of )SSU Economic Outlook Conference at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in Rohnert Park on March 2, 2018 (ANTHONY BORDERS / NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL)

(3 of )Sonoma State University economist Robert Eyler explains why he projects no or mild recession for San Francisco North Bay counties through 2020, speaking at the SSU Economic Outlook Conference at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sonoma Wine Country in Rohnert Park on March 2, 2018 (ANTHONY BORDERS / NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL)

‘Mild to no recession’ through 2020 in San Francisco North Bay: economist

At the North Bay Business Journal’s SSU Economic Outlook Conference on Friday, Robert Eyler, Ph.D., professor of economics and dean of Extended and International Education at Sonoma State University, delivered that forecast before an audience of about 400 people in Rohnert Park.

It was a message with clouds on the horizon, such as loan delinquencies rising, the “failing spread between long- and short-term rates” and “unpredicted price and interest-rate increase.”

In a broad sweep that touched on the national economic picture, as well as the future of the state, Eyler also delivered an assessment on the North Bay’s comeback after the fires. The October blazes destroyed nearly 9,000 buildings — including 6,412 homes — and caused 44 deaths in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake and Solano counties.

Economic issues from the fires, including key industries like wine and tourism, remain limited and the regional outlook shows “2018 a year of continued growth” with labor markets continuing to be under pressure.

OF TAXES, STOCKS & JOBS

In looking nationally, he said the federal tax cuts will have a transitory impact on the economy.

“It’s election time, so let’s give people more money.” Eyler said “everyone will gain something” but not as much for the lower to middle wage earners.”

His presentation on the national also touched on the gross domestic product, projected to be 2.8 percent this year but dropping to 2.5 percent in 2019, 2.0 percent in 2020 and 1.7 percent in 2021.

As for the stock market, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, which was below 800 during the recession, crested at above 2,800 this year. It is to be expected — now with more people getting to retirement age, for example — that “some people are going to cash out” of the market. So, “expect more volatility.”

On the state lavel, he cited research on future job-growth forecasts. The outlook was mostly good news for most categories like professional services (up 14 percent); construction (9 percent); health and education (9 percent); and leisure (9.6 percent).

But the outlook for future farm job growth statewide was not so positive (down 2.6 percent). He said farming continues to be undergoing a wave of mechanization, and how much the legalization of cannabis will also affect the agricultural labor market.

COUNTY-BY-COUNTY OUTLOOK

Eyler then zeroed in on North Bay counties, delivering quick takes.

Lake County: After three years of fires, recession is still there.

Marin County: “(A)n oasis of wealth,” where jobs growth continues, cost of living rises, and biotechnology industries flourish and entrepreneurs are rewarded.

Mendocino County: It finds itself in the same boat as Lake County, but its connection to cannabis, with the promise of a legit future, may help.

Solano County: “The best growth is here; it is rising quickly.”

Napa County: “It is the star,” or an “adult Disneyland,” which determined a few years ago to place big bet on tourism.

Sonoma County: It is truly the most diverse of the North Bay counties and now has the big question of how it will recover from the wildfires.

IMPACTS OF THE FIRES

When it came to those fires, which affected “four counties, not just two,” the insurance claims may eventually top $12 billion, and the losses will “shock” property-tax revenue to governments.

Recovery means dollars and jobs too. He predicted $1 billion in new construction in Sonoma County, with 5,270 trade jobs and $536 million in additional business revenues in Sonoma County. Napa County’s numbers are about the same: $1 billion in new construction, 4,860 trade workers and $428 million in additional business revenues.

He noted that labor and housing continue to be areas which need to be addressed. More close in, the area’s tourism support agencies need to make sure to “get a positive story” out this season to counter the fall 2017 media attention from the fires.

The fire’s impact on the wine industry continues to be “minimal” overall, though scarcity of labor lingers as an issue at harvest and bottling time. And then there is the uncertainty of how much the cannabis industry will affect labor.

Keys to recovery are to “think regionally” and “to create more housing units than what we started with.” And, “when people are out of a job or a home, we have to support them.”

Other speakers at the Friday morning conference, underwritten by Exchange Bank, were Jennifer Gray Thompson, executive director of the Rebuild North Bay Foundation; Sanu Chandi of Chandi Hospitality Group, which lost a Mountain Mike’s Pizza restaurant in Santa Rosa; and Sonia Byck-Barwich, whose Paradise Ridge Winery also received heavy fire damage. (Read background on their stories at nbbj.news/outlook18.)